Hybrid Student Accommodation: the Role of Workplaces in the Transition to a New Funcational Identity.

The development of hybrid constructions, intended as a combination of different functions into the same building, is an increasing phenomenon in contemporary architecture. The evolution of more flexible and adaptable buildings designed for modern needs, users, and activities represent one of the most compelling challenges of the 21st Century that the field needs to address. In the last decade, the student accommodation market has been involved in significant functional, spatial, and usage transformations due to university internationalisation, increased student mobility, and the digitalization of learning and working activities across the world. As a result, new typological solutions become necessary to meet the "live, learn, work, and connect" needs of a growing community of students, young professionals, digital nomads, and travellers. New hybrid buildings, which include options like coliving, coworking, start-up incubators, and community network organisation, offer a precious platform to experiment these concepts contributing to the improvement of innovative student housing models. This essay investigates the potential of hybrid student accommodation including coworking spaces through an international case studies analysis and a literature review and explores its innovative functions, spaces, and activities. The analysis also identifies potential project categories to guide the future development of workplaces inside these structures. The paper contributes to investigate this new architectural trend which is still a low-investigated topic in the literature. In the light of the ongoing demographic and social changes, especially in university cities, it aims to identify and highlight the slow but meaningful transformations of student hospitality into more inclusive, articulate, and connected places. Finally, some key factors to reflect about the progress of these facilities to help build well-connected communities are discussed to address potential actions and opportunities for the city and university community.